A Feasibility Study Of An Intensive Combined Modality Smoking Cessation Program In The Radiation Oncology Clinic

19604 Background: Radiotherapy (RT) patients present for daily treatment over many weeks, often accompanied by friends and family. This represents a unique opportunity for intensive smoking intervention concurrently with RT in both cancer patients and their companions. Methods: Eligible participants included smoking cancer patients scheduled to receive = 3 weeks of RT and their smoking family/friends. All participants received bupropion and 9 individualized behavioral interventions (BI) in the RT clinic with an addiction professional, followed by 9–12 scheduled intensive relapse prevention encounters (in person or by telephone). The primary endpoint was feasibility determined by accrual and program completion. Other endpoints included carbon-monoxide (CO) confirmed and participant-reported tobacco abstinence. During 4 months of enrollment, smoking and basic eligibility data were prospectively collected on consultations seen in clinic. Results: Over 8 months 20 cancer patients and 3 family members were enrolled. Based on our sampling, this represented greater than 40% of eligible smokers seen in clinic. Six cancer patients withdrew, all on or before the third BI. 13 participants completed all 9 BIs while 4 patients completed 7–8 BIs. 11 participants reported compliance with bupropion therapy. One participant discontinued bupropion citing increased depression. No other possible adverse events to bupropion or BI were discovered. At the completion of BI, 16 participants had exhaled CO concentrations < 10ppm and 14 participants self-reported tobacco abstinence. Of the 17 participants completing 7–9 behavioral interventions, the median number of relapse prevention sessions was 4 (range 0–8). With a median follow-up of 5.85 months, the 3-month crude self-reported abstinence rate was 41% (7/17). Conclusions: Tobacco cessation with bupropion and intensive BI for cancer patients and their companions during RT was feasible. A significant number of eligible smokers enrolled and completed BI during RT. However, few participants completed scheduled prevention encounters following RT. No significant financial relationships to disclose.